Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Reno, NV
VS
Roanoke, VA
🏆 Roanoke leads 12 of 23 categories
Reno
Nevada
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,073 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
139⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
265,196 ✓ Larger
Roanoke
Virginia
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$51,523
Violent Crime Index
163⚠ High
Population
99,213
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Reno, NV
Pros
Households earn $21,550 more per year on average
15% less violent crime than Roanoke
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (5.0%)
More college-educated — 35.3% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $462,100
Higher rents — median is $1,360/mo
Violent crime (529.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Roanoke
Roanoke, VA
Pros
Homes cost $300k less ($162,000 vs $462,100)
Rent averages $443/mo less ($917 vs $1,360)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Reno
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Smaller class sizes — 12.2:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Reno by $21,550/yr
Violent crime (620.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4055.6/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Reno
Median Income
$21,550
$73,073 vs $51,523/yr
Reno
Violent Crime
15% lower
529.6 vs 620.4 per 100k
Reno
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.6% unemployment
Reno
Summer Heat
4.6°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 88.1°F
Roanoke
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 90.9 vs 102.8 (100 = US avg)
Roanoke
Median Home Value
$300k less
$162,000 vs $462,100
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Reno, NV | Roanoke, VA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.8⚠ High | 90.9 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $462,100⚠ High | $162,000 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,360⚠ High | $917 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,073 ✓ Higher | $51,523 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 20.5 min ✓ Shorter | 20.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 9.3% | 9.7% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer | 175⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 139⚠ High ✓ Safer | 163⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 116⚠ High ✓ Safer | 193⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | B (100) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.0:1 | 12.2:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 35.3% ✓ Higher | 28.4% |
| High School or Higher | 89.6% ✓ Higher | 89.1% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Washoe County | Roanoke City Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 45.8°F | 47.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 88.1°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 9.2" ✓ Drier | 42.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 33.3" | 14.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 265,196 ✓ Larger | 99,213 |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 38.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.3% | 52.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.8% | 22.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.8% | 17.6% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Reno's cost of living index is 102.8 vs Roanoke's 90.9 (US average = 100).
Roanoke is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Roanoke leads 12 of 23 categories. Reno wins 11 and Roanoke wins 12. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Reno to Roanoke or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($462,100 vs $162,000 median home), income ($73,073 vs $51,523), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Reno, NV and Roanoke, VA are about 2,148 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.